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blknomad · 11-02-2008, 08:26 AM

I have a 30 ft sightseer and want to pull a ford windstar van on a dolly. It is a work horse with an 8.1. and by the way which chassis do I have if its a 2004??

blknomad · 11-02-2008, 08:26 AM

I have a 30 ft sightseer and want to pull a ford windstar van on a dolly. It is a work horse with an 8.1. and by the way which chassis do I have if its a 2004??

edgray · 11-02-2008, 08:37 AM

blknomad: WELCOME to iRV2.com

We are glad you joined and posted.

If you will provide you chassis vin#, then we can determine, without speculation, exactly which chassis you have.

To answer your questions about towing, it will also be helpful if you could provide an approximate weight of the dolly and the Windstar. Thanks, and again.....WELCOME!!
ED

blknomad · 11-02-2008, 12:17 PM

Sorry bout that. the model no. iswfd30b the vin is sb4lps76x33374231.As far as the van I scaled it at 4150 and most dollies weigh around 500 to 700 lbs. I know that would be pushing the envelop but not sure what the fudge factor is. Also what cn I do to service the auto parking brake to prevent trouble.

thanks to those that reply

edgray · 11-02-2008, 05:02 PM

blknomad: Trying to be helpful, so please allow me a couple of assumptions to correct your vin# info. I believe it should read as follows: 5B4LP57GX33374231.

This vin # is for a 2003 model year P-32 chassis with a GVWR range from 16,000 to 19,500 pounds. Unfortunately, I cannot read your exact GVWR from the Vin#. However, even the most robust P-32 chassis with an 18,000 pound GVWR had only a 21,000 pound GCVWR, and therefore I believe you would be very much over the limit trying to pull a dolly and toad such as you describe.

To verify "if" the info I have given is correct, please look for the data label, usually on the wall beside the driver's seat to confirm exactly what YOUR chassis will allow. ED

Explore America · 11-02-2008, 06:37 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by blknomad:
I have a 30 ft sightseer and want to pull a ford windstar van on a dolly. It is a work horse with an 8.1. and by the way which chassis do I have if its a 2004?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I believe you have a Workhorse W-18 Chassis:

GVWR: 18,000lbs
GCVWR: 22,000lbs
GVWR Front: 6,000lbs
GVWR Rear: 12,000lbs
WB: 190"

You can download a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer brochure and specs. here.

edgray · 11-03-2008, 05:23 AM

if the Vin # sixth digit from the left is a 5, then it is a P-32 chassis. ED

John-D · 11-03-2008, 05:26 AM

What you need to know is the following

1: The loaded weight of the towing vehicle
2: The towed weight of the towed vehicle (As though you were traveling with it)
3: The weight of the dolly
4: The rating of the hitch
4; The Combined GVW of your tow vehicle

First add #2 to #3, and compare to #4, if the result is bigger.. Sorry, can't tow

Now add 1+2+3 and compare to 5, same thing if 5 is smaller, you can't tow

Just for the heck of it... do the math again with #3 (Weight of the dolly) figured at 100 pounds

If this works.. I'll tell you how I tow MY mini van

blknomad · 11-03-2008, 12:04 PM

OK here we go again, The chassis is indeed a2003 but did not get into the rotation until 2004 thus winnebago titled it 2004. The data sheet on the left side of drivers seat says 6000 on front axle and 12000 on rear axle. I have not scaled the winnie but as i've posted earlier the van weighs 4150 on scales. The manual says the hitch is good for 5000lb draw weight and 350lb tongue weight. The guess on the dolly weight I'm sure was pretty high. Guess I need to weigh the winnie to be sure.

John-D · 11-03-2008, 12:12 PM

My intruder has basically the same hitch ratings (5000/500) but can only tow 4000 pounds Just so you know

That is why I said take the weight of everyting, together, compare to the max CGVW on the sticker and I strongly suspect you will find... You can't tow it

I'd be more than happy to tell you how to tow it WITHOUT a dolly.. And some of those are well voer 500 pounds

edgray · 11-03-2008, 12:21 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The data sheet on the left side of drivers seat says 6000 on front axle and 12000 on rear axle. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Then you do indeed have a 18,000 pound GVWR, which allows a GCVWR of 21,000 pounds. Once you know the weight of the coach as loaded for travel, you can then determine "if" you can stay within the max allowed by the GCVWR. Good luck, ED

Art D · 11-04-2008, 08:51 AM

I also have a 2004 Sightseer 30B with Workhorse 8.1L engine. The GVWR is 18,000 and I have weighed it to be 16,000. I tow a Toyota Camry with a dolly and can't tell it's there in terms of handling or performance.

blknomad · 11-04-2008, 02:20 PM

Thanks Art thats the kind of info I was looking for. Your Toyota probably doesn't weigh what the Ford does but that is what I have and you have to use what you got.
You didn't mention the type of dolly you use ,does it have brakes and if so what kind.
And many thanks for the reply.